Three Britons held for running over Asian-origin kids (Lead)

London, Aug 21 (IANS) Three men have been arrested after two Asian-origin children - aged two and 10 - were knocked down by a car in Britain’s Leeds, police said Tuesday.

On Monday night, West Yorkshire Police arrested a 36-year-old man from Leeds on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident. Police also recovered a vehicle, The Sun reported.

Police found CCTV footage of a silver-grey Vauxhall Astra fleeing the scene after hitting toddler Rayhan Saleem and his 10-year-old sister Sabah.

The children were crossing the road at a speed bump outside their home in Hyde Park, Leeds, Saturday after buying onions for their mother, who was making a meal to celebrate Eid.

The accident took place on Brudenell Road, near the Makkah Masjid Mosque in Leeds.

Both children suffered massive head injuries, and Sabah is still critical after surgery.

Rayhan has been moved out of the intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The Daily Mail said police confirmed they have arrested three men from Leeds — aged 39, 36 and 26 — in connection with the incident.

The 39-year-old was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and the 26-year-old was held on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The children’s aunt, Saima Rafique, said her niece remains in a critical condition.

But Rayhan was much better and walking around in the ward, she said.

“Most likely what happened is that Sabah tried protecting her brother and she took the brunt of the accident,” she said.

The children’s parents, Tazeem Noor and Mohamed Saleem, were at their daughter’s bedside.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor, who is leading the investigation, also said Sabah may have tried to push Rayhan from the path of the car.